1.1.

1 History of microbiology
● Microbiology essentially began with the development of the microscope.
● Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (1632-1723) of Delft, Holland (Netherland)
was the first person to observe and accurately describe microorganisms
(bacteria and protozoa) called ‘animalcules’ (little animals) in 1676.
● Leeuwenhoek was the first person to give correct descriptions of
bacteria and protozoa using a microscope he made himself. Because of
this extraordinary contribution to microbiology, he is considered as the
“Father of microbiology”.
● Leeuwenhoek is also considered to be the father of bacteriology and
protozoology (protistology).
● Louis Pasteur is the father of Medical Microbiology.
● He coined the term microbiology, aerobic, and anaerobic.
● He invented the processes of pasteurization, fermentation, and the
development of effective vaccines.
Branches of Microbiology
● Bacteriology: the study of bacteria
● Mycology: the study of fungi
● Protozoology: the study of protozoa
● Phycology/algology: the study of algae
● Parasitology: the study of parasites
● Immunology: the study of the immune system
● Virology: the study of viruses
● Nematology: the study of nematodes

1.1.2 Scope and its importance

● Microorganisms are present everywhere on earth which includes
humans, animals, plants, soil, water, and atmosphere.
● Microbes can multiply in all three habitats except in the atmosphere.
Together their numbers are far more than all the other living cells on this
planet.
● Microorganisms are indispensable components of our ecosystem. They
play an important role in the recycling of organic and inorganic material
 through their roles in the C, N, and S cycles, thus playing an important
part in the maintenance of the stability of the biosphere.
The scope in this field is immense due to the involvement of microbiology in
many fields like medicine, pharmacy, diary, industry, clinical research, water
industry, agriculture, chemical technology, and nanotechnology